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October 31, 2016

13 Death Anniversary of My Mother Rosemary!

My Mom's favourite flowers

“The
greatest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude”

Thornton
Wilder quotes

1st
November, 2003 was the saddest day of my life; and I remember clearly I was carrying
my second child (Emmanuel) and was in the 8th month pregnancy. Just two
month ago before she died, my mom visited my place, assured me of her presence
in the hospital and bid me good bye.

In the next two months so much happened in
her life, that she became very helpless and despite all problems she did fight
till the end. Her last birthday was
celebrated on 25 October, 2003 at St Theresa’s hospital and I did not want to
miss it.

So I took David my husband
with me to visit her at the hospital, and for the last time helped her to wear
the blue colour saree which I picked up for her, combed her hair and kissed her.
She was so happy and humorous, spoke to every visitor who came to see her. She invited
the nurses in the ward, as I sang the happy birthday to her and made her cut the
cake. With a smiling face she called those around her proudly introducing me as
her daughter and shared the cake.

“People never die as long as someone remembers them” author unknown

She was discharged and
within few days she went back to the hospital, never to return home. I am lucky
to have had her as my mother; she just completed primary level of education, married
while she was still in her teens (15 years) had nine children, took a lot of
responsibility (while she came from her home, being the only daughter) of being
very generous with all that she had in her life, being extremely accommodative to
her brother and his family, who comfortably spent all the summer vacations with
us. Also to her brother in law and his family (my dad’s elder brother) wherein
two of their children spent all their holidays with us.

She cooked very well,
and was known for making delicious sambar, chicken, pork, beef and biryani; she
was very fond of dressing well, and used to plan well in advance for herself
and for us. She loved to read the scripture in the church and with great
difficulty would manage to do the Tamil reading for mass. She was always early
for mass, would occupy the first bench and enjoyed the Tamil sermons and songs...
She knew every child’s requirements and effortlessly made sure that our needs
were met. I recall all those moments
when I was sick with headache, fever, toothache, stomach pain and backache …
she was ready to serve me with hot coffee, light dinners and a gentle massage.

My mom with my aunt and my elder sister

She loved to socialize and
go around sightseeing, cinemas – I remember seeing so many Tamil movies, which
used to play in Natraj (patny) and Sangeet theatre, and were only morning
shows. I watched her wear designer blouses, and admired the way she would take
me to the market to buy matching glass bangles for herself and flowers, and
also buy the same for us, during festival time.

She used to visit specific
shops for the vegetables, meat and the other requirements needed for the house.
I enjoyed accompanying her to the market, and eating whatever I wanted,
sometimes fruits, juices, sweets and at other times, also snack the vegetarian
hotel… dosa was always my favourite with a special cup of masala tea.

my mom with my brothers and sister

She was with me till I got
married in October, 1999; I was the last child to get married and can never
forget those parting moments. Within four years by 1st November 2003... She is
no more... but continues to live in my life!!Every Year this day I recall and remember with gratitude ...

7 comments:

This is a beautiful tribute. I do a lot of genealogy research, and it is always illuminating to find people's accounts of their parents and other close family members. "Official" records only tell the very basics of a people's lives without capturing their hearts and souls as you have done.

Thanks Susan for being here, its always a pleasure to hear from you. I am glad you liked the quote and yes I can never forget her, in my life and this phase when I am feeling sick, she often comes to my mind, and I feel thankful and blessed.

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About Me

I am Genevive Angela, journeying with gratitude, evolving myself and finding my purpose of existence here on earth. ... am grateful for everything that happens in my life and I live a life of gratitude :)